Police Tackle Man After Chase Through Missoula’s Icy Streets

A routine traffic stop over a missing taillight on Friday, February 9, ended with a Missoula Police Officer and a suspect going to the hospital. Missoula Police public information officer Travis Welsh says the encounter began on North Russell

"The driver was identified as 45-year-old Jody Bennett," Welsh said. "Mr. Bennett was recognized by officers as having a criminal history and to be associated with drug activity. They requested to search Mr. Bennett's vehicle and he refused, so they put out a request for a K9 team to have a dog go around the exterior of the vehicle, however, when the K9 unit arrived, Mr. Bennett put the car in gear and attempted to drive away."

The car spun out on the ice at first and didn’t go too far before crashing near the intersection of Montana and Johnson.

"He crashed into a parked car and then attempted to flee the officers on foot," Welsh said. "An officer had gotten out of a vehicle at one point and chased him on foot and eventually caught up with him and tackled him, resulting in Mr. Bennett being taken into custody. He did suffer some minor injuries as a result and was subsequently taken to the hospital."

Bennett reportedly continued to resist arrest even after being tackled to the ground and his mug shot reveals scrapes and bruises on the right side of his face. Officials later found meth on Bennett’s person and he now faces seven charges, including four felonies for Criminal Endangerment, Escape, causing Serious Bodily Injury to an officer, and drug possession. The officer suffered a hand injury, and has since been released from the hospital.